'We must value the basketball': Bruton

Adelaide 36ers head coach CJ Bruton said his side must value the basketball in Saturday night’s ADF Appreciation Round home clash against Tasmania JackJumpers.

The 36ers gave up 21 offensive rebounds, and 12 turnovers and let Perth have 20 more shot attempts in last round’s 99-88 loss to the Wildcats and Bruton knows possession is vital.

“They play great basketball, and they execute very well in the half court and they try to be disruptive,” Bruton said on Friday.

“Value the basketball, making sure we box out and have as many shots as the opposition.”

READ MORE

• Kell expects 36ers to bounce back against Tassie
• PRESS CALL: 'Alex came in and sparked us': Bruton
• Saab, 36ers join forces for Remembrance Day

Adelaide has been battling a gastro virus which has hit some of the players and staff this week, but Bruton said there are no excuses when the ball gets thrown up on Saturday.

“From the outside looking in, we are still dealing with some stuff, but overall who cares, when you step on the court or on the field in sports, everyone is expected to give their best,” Bruton said.

“There’s a chance for anything and everything right up until the last minute, I can’t rule anything out at the moment.”

Import forward Jacob Wiley and guard Jason Cadee were back to full training on Thursday and Bruton said he expects a full team to run out against the JackJumpers.

“They will give what they got, and I will take what they can give me,” Bruton said.

“This is going through Adelaide, it isn’t easy to shake, but it’s all about dealing what is in front of us and managing it the best way we can.

“We are getting after it out there on the floor, it’s been a different week for us, but we have a game around the corner.

“We have to go out and execute and be a little better than we were last time we played.”

Bruton has hailed the extra work his side has been putting in after main training sessions, with all the squad taking time to get extra shooting sessions in.

“You do all the work in the gym when there is no one here so you’re ready on game day,” Bruton said.

“I would like them to shoot the way you just saw them shoot during the game, that would be nice.”

Adelaide face Tasmania on Brett Maher Court at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday night from 7.30pm ACDT and you can watch the game live and exclusive on ESPN via Kayo Sports.